MLB.com: Zach Eflin’s Season Might be for Real

As the Phillies hit Memorial Day, the unofficial start to the summer season, the sit in first place, 1.5 games ahead of the defending N.L. east champion Braves.

Even though they sit in first place, they still have plenty of questions to be answered as the focus shifts from the NBA playoffs, to Major League baseball. Do they have enough pitching, both starting and bullpen?

Their overall 4.11 ERA ranks 13th in major league baseball, their 4.00 bullpen ERA ranks eighth overall and their 4.18 starting ERA ranks 13th.

One guy who might be here to stay is starter Zach Eflin, according to MLB.com columnist Richard Justice, who ranks nine breakout seasons that might be for real.

The 25-year-old right-hander has a very respectable 3.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51/14 K/BB ratio (65 2/3 innings).

9.Zach Eflin, RHP, Phillies: Eflin has ridden a new cutter and a commitment to pounding the strike zone and pitching to contact to a tremendous start. If he can sustain it, he would tremendously boost the Phillies' pursuit of the postseason. Among qualified NL starters, Eflin has the fifth-lowest ERA (2.76) and a respectable 1.15 WHIP (14th).